Welcome to the office of your prosthodontist. As a new patient you
might be struggling with how to say the word "prosthodontist." Well don't worry --
you're not alone. That's why we've prepared this brief
video. You'll not only learn how to say that "tongue twister" of a word ... you'll also
learn exactly what a prosthodontist does and how he or she can help you today.
So sit back and enjoy the video and if you have any questions please ask any member
of our friendly staff. They'll be happy to help.
If you've been in this chair enough
times you may recognize the difference between a general dentist and a
specialist, like an orthodontist or a periodontist. But there's one type of
dentist you may not know about - a group of highly educated and trained
specialists dedicated to the health of the entire mouth - Proshthodontists.
"A what?"
What is a prosthodontist?
I can only guess.
I have no idea.
Is it some kind of dinosaur?
I know what a prostate is.
I'd say a prostate surgeon.
A doctor who does prostate removals.
It's not a urologist?
I would say removing teeth from the prostate.
Although it's not the easiest name to pronounce,
prosthodontists are the first name in comprehensive dental care. Consider them
the pros of healthy smiles. Prosthodontists take a whole mouth
approach, undergoing intense training beyond general dentistry to focus on
some of the most cutting-edge procedures in dentistry. They specialize in implants,
esthetic procedures to enhance the appearance of your smile, and
reconstructive dentistry to help patients with missing or damaged teeth.
Prosthodontists don't just help your mouth look better, their goal is to help
it feel and function better too. They do this by working closely with general
dentists, other specialists, and dental technicians to supervise your treatment
process. They can handle these cases because of extensive education and
experience. Becoming a prosthodontist isn't easy - they undergo at least three
years of additional training after graduating from dental school.
Prosthodontic programs are rigorous, small, and highly selective. In fact
dentists from all over the world compete to be admitted into training programs
here in the United States. That's why prosthodontics is only one of
a few recognized specialties of the American Dental Association.
When we treat patients with multiple problems the prosthodontist becomes the architect
of the overall treatment. We're the ones who craft the treatment
plan and we're the ones who coordinate all the treatment. That's the way we're
trained in a multidisciplinary environment in our graduate training programs.
I love the fact that you can integrate creativity, artistry, technical
skill, and I think interpersonal relations all together and use these
skills on a daily basis to help change people's lives and improve their smiles.
Dental implants - an area where prosthodontists have pioneered new
technologies are rapidly becoming a popular option for baby boomers and
their parents. While prosthodontists may recommend crowns, bridges, or dentures,
dental implants have been successful for a wide variety of patients. They're not
only healthier for your mouth but they require less maintenance over time and
prevent bone loss by helping to keep the jaw active. Dental implants also allow
you to eat virtually anything with ease. Whether you're replacing one tooth or an
entire mouthful. And the procedure can be quicker and easier than ever before.
What used to take months can now just take a couple of days.
Well I arrived at the prosthodontist's office
and noticed that his equipment was state-of-the-art. I also
found out that he supervised the process from beginning to end. I was very happy
that I had found a specialist who made me beautiful, beautiful teeth and I'm
very, very happy with the result.
Prosthodontists also provide a wide
variety of esthetic procedures designed to make your smile look better.
From teeth whitening, to porcelain veneers prosthodontist give patients improved
self-confidence. As more Americans than ever consider esthetic improvements
prosthodontists are there to determine which option is best for the long-term
health and comfort of your smile, not just which procedure may look the best
in the short term.
Initially my teeth were broken, my front teeth were broken
and I had gone through three cosmetic dentist and was very displeased with all
the results of the three cosmetic dentist. I did research and I was so glad I
did the research and I discovered what a prosthodontist was and what they could
do for somebody. After coming here I was very pleased. The discoloration - there
wasn't any more discoloration, my gums were healthy, the bite was much better,
I wasn't self-conscious anymore about smiling, I didn't have any gray tone to them.
I loved to smile and the results are just wonderful I would recommend a
prosthodontist to anybody in the field of looking to do any type of esthetic
or cosmetic dentistry.
It's very important that people try to take this
long-term perspective as possible when doing an esthetic restoration as well.
We want to do something that's healthy for people, that
will hold up as long as possible, as well as meeting their esthetic needs.
Finally, prosthodontist specialize in reconstructive dentistry. They work with
complicated cases on a regular basis, from patients with missing or damaged
teeth to accident victims and patients with severe birth defects. Prosthodontist
help restore smiles to patients who thought they'd never smile again.
You can see that the patients are just going to be leaving the office and feeling like
they're on top of the earth. It's truly rewarding to be able to say
goodbye to a patient and know that you've made such a dramatic improvement
for them whether it's functional or visual.
I always love to ask my friends
can you tell me which one of my teeth are not real, can you point out the crown
to me? And that's how good my prosthodontist is because they are never
able to tell me which one of my teeth are not mine and which ones a crown,
they're never able to pick them out and they are just amazed when they find out
that it's my two front teeth that aren't mine.
Prosthodontists may even help in
cases where a good-looking smile isn't the biggest concern. They work with
patients who have sleep disorders, jaw pain, cancer surgery, even anorexia and
bulimia. So why should you see a prosthodontist?
If you have complex needs,
demand high esthetic results, need someone who can oversee a procedure with
more than one specialist, or want someone who has undergone rigorous training.
Then a prosthodontist is for you. He or she can manage the process and ensure that
you are receiving the best care. Although they handle severe cases, prosthodontists
can help even the healthiest smiles stay strong. Many celebrities choose
prosthodontists for that "red carpet" smile. Patients are referred to prosthodontists
directly from a general dentist or a specialist, by family physicians, and most
importantly by satisfied patients. For more information call the American
College of Prosthodontists and (312) 573-1260
or visit us online at GoToAPro.org.
Even though you may still have some trouble pronouncing the word, just
remember one thing - if you think your smile deserves a specialist's care make
sure that you see a specialist with advanced education and training.
Go to a pro - a prosthodontist.